Hogsweat
18-09-2004, 00:29
Commodore Jacob Peterly squinted through sullen eyes at the Arenumbergian fleet displayed in neat lines through the blockade zone.
Bastards... he muttered, in a low voice. Spinning around, he signalled the orders for the comm ensign of CTV (Commonwealth Trading Vessel) Maryland to open a patch with the Arenumbergian Fleet Admiral. The video image flickered onto the screen. There was a bad network, several seconds delay, but it was all understandable.
"This is Captain Jacob Peterly, Commonwealth Merchant Navy. We are requesting permission to pass through Arenumbergian blockades following standard procedures... set by A/2/1915. Section BC/ Free Trade of the Commonwealth."
The few second delay briefly ended, and the voice and image of the stern, muscular, Arenumbergian captain appeared not alarming the comparatively lanky Peterly at all.
"Request denied. You are in violation of Arenumbergian Naval Operations, act 225/AY."
Peterly fumed with anger.
"What! You cannot do this! This is an outrage! The law of A/2/1915. Section BC/ Free Trade of the Commonwealth clearly states, I repeat, CLEARLY states, that all Commonwealth traders are allowed access to trade civilian and economically needed materiel to any Commonwealth Colony."
The Arenumbergian Captain seemed to snigger, the short delay now angering Peterly.
"Ha! Arenumberg is not a part of your Commonwealth, we do not abide by your laws. The Island of Richmonde will not be passed by OUR routes, Free Trade or no Free Trade."
Peterly turned sour - he usually was, but these situations were even worse.
"Do you know how longer it takes to sail round this archipegalo!"
"I couldn't care less how long it takes you Merchant types to sail, you are not coming past here. Full stop. Period. End."
It was Peterly's turn to laugh.
"You'll be sorry, oh yes you'll be sorry. Mark my words Arenumbergian, by the time this is over you'll be the ones crying."
Commonwealth Navy Base, Finn Island
Admiral Sticklsby slammed his fist on the table.
"BLOODY ARENUMBERGIANS!"
The rest of the people in the room, with the exception of Peterly and Fore Commodore Bero winced. Like most Hogsweatian Admirals, Sticklsby was known to be loud and angry, most of the time.
"Who do they think they are! We'll teach 'em, by golly we'll teach 'em."
A Captain Mickson, a junior officer with little experience was foolish enough to raise a hand in the air.
"But sir, we have only twelve ships here - who knows how many the Arenumbergian's have."
"THEN WE'LL BLOODY WELL GET MORE WON'T WE!"
Mickson quickly withdrew, now feeling sorry that he had bothered to ask a question.
"Fore Commodore Bero, mobilize all Naval ships in the district. Get some more support from the other group, and tell the Government in York Island what we're doing"
"Sir," Bero quickly acknowledged, leaving the room to do his duties. Sticklsby had been in service with Bero for a long time - he knew he could trust him, above all these others.
"The rest of you, get some maps of this area and crowd around..."
Bastards... he muttered, in a low voice. Spinning around, he signalled the orders for the comm ensign of CTV (Commonwealth Trading Vessel) Maryland to open a patch with the Arenumbergian Fleet Admiral. The video image flickered onto the screen. There was a bad network, several seconds delay, but it was all understandable.
"This is Captain Jacob Peterly, Commonwealth Merchant Navy. We are requesting permission to pass through Arenumbergian blockades following standard procedures... set by A/2/1915. Section BC/ Free Trade of the Commonwealth."
The few second delay briefly ended, and the voice and image of the stern, muscular, Arenumbergian captain appeared not alarming the comparatively lanky Peterly at all.
"Request denied. You are in violation of Arenumbergian Naval Operations, act 225/AY."
Peterly fumed with anger.
"What! You cannot do this! This is an outrage! The law of A/2/1915. Section BC/ Free Trade of the Commonwealth clearly states, I repeat, CLEARLY states, that all Commonwealth traders are allowed access to trade civilian and economically needed materiel to any Commonwealth Colony."
The Arenumbergian Captain seemed to snigger, the short delay now angering Peterly.
"Ha! Arenumberg is not a part of your Commonwealth, we do not abide by your laws. The Island of Richmonde will not be passed by OUR routes, Free Trade or no Free Trade."
Peterly turned sour - he usually was, but these situations were even worse.
"Do you know how longer it takes to sail round this archipegalo!"
"I couldn't care less how long it takes you Merchant types to sail, you are not coming past here. Full stop. Period. End."
It was Peterly's turn to laugh.
"You'll be sorry, oh yes you'll be sorry. Mark my words Arenumbergian, by the time this is over you'll be the ones crying."
Commonwealth Navy Base, Finn Island
Admiral Sticklsby slammed his fist on the table.
"BLOODY ARENUMBERGIANS!"
The rest of the people in the room, with the exception of Peterly and Fore Commodore Bero winced. Like most Hogsweatian Admirals, Sticklsby was known to be loud and angry, most of the time.
"Who do they think they are! We'll teach 'em, by golly we'll teach 'em."
A Captain Mickson, a junior officer with little experience was foolish enough to raise a hand in the air.
"But sir, we have only twelve ships here - who knows how many the Arenumbergian's have."
"THEN WE'LL BLOODY WELL GET MORE WON'T WE!"
Mickson quickly withdrew, now feeling sorry that he had bothered to ask a question.
"Fore Commodore Bero, mobilize all Naval ships in the district. Get some more support from the other group, and tell the Government in York Island what we're doing"
"Sir," Bero quickly acknowledged, leaving the room to do his duties. Sticklsby had been in service with Bero for a long time - he knew he could trust him, above all these others.
"The rest of you, get some maps of this area and crowd around..."